
********************************************
The Immigration Department today (October 23) announced the appointment of another batch of 62 civil celebrants of marriages.
This brings the total number of civil celebrants to 1,565 since the appointment of the first batch on April 21, 2006.
A department spokesman said the Civil Celebrants of Marriages Scheme was well received by the public given that the lifting of restrictions on the time and place of marriage solemnisation offered more choices, greater flexibility and greater convenience for people making wedding arrangements.
By the end of September 2009, about 59,200 couples had given their marriage notices through civil celebrants. About 56,800 couples have had their marriages celebrated by civil celebrants since April 2006. Given the popularity of the scheme, it is expected that more and more couples will choose to be married by civil celebrants.
A name list of appointed civil celebrants is available on the Immigration Department website at www.immd.gov.hk. The "Information Leaflet for the Marrying Parties" on the website provides the necessary steps and points to note in the selection of civil celebrants of marriages. People may also approach the Information and Liaison Section of the Immigration Department on the 2nd Floor of Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai (tel no. 2824 6111) or various marriage registries for this information.
Ends/Friday, October 23, 2009
Issued at HKT 10:01
NNNN